The Best Gifts for Business Travelers

Whether they're commuting for an hour on the train every day or jetting across the country three times a month, business travelers are always looking for ways to be more productive and comfortable on the road. If you're shopping for someone who spends a lot of time working in planes, trains, buses or hotels, there are some gifts you can get them that will make their lives a lot easier. You may even want to buy these for yourself.

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NexGadget 24,000 mAH Power Bank

The market is flooded with power banks that can juice a phone or tablet, but the NexGadget battery has enough amperage to charge a laptop.

Unlike many laptop chargers, which come with a limited set of tips that only connect to some makes and models, this 1.4-pound battery has a standard three-prong outlet on board so it can charge anything. The NextGadget also has three USB ports to power your phone, tablet and camera.

Logitech M510 Wireless Mouse

It's fine to use a touchpad or pointing stick when you're balancing a laptop on your lap or squeezing it onto a cramped tray table. However, when you're sitting at your hotel room desk or at a conference room table, you want the accuracy and comfort of a real mouse. We love the Logitech M510, because of its easy-to-grip rubberized body and side buttons that let you go forward or back in your browser.

Available in boring gray, fire engine red, or (my favorite) dark blue, the M510 lasts for months on a pair of AA batteries and connects to your computer using an included 2.4-GHz wireless dongle, no Bluetooth required.

Asus MB169B+ Portable Monitor

Most serious productivity workers have dual monitor setups at home and work, but when they head out on the road, they're stuck with only the display on their laptops. A portable USB monitor like the ASUS MB169B+ is a game changer for any frequent traveler, because it gives them a second screen that's light enough to carry anywhere and gets its power over USB. The 15.6-inch MB169B+ stands out because of its bright, full HD screen and slim design.

Ghostek NRGbag

This attractive backpack includes a built-in 7,000 mAH battery that can juice up to three USB devices at once. The attractive, water-resistant bag has a compartment for laptops that are up to 15.6 inches, along with plenty of space for tablets, phones and other gear. A power indicator on the front pocket shows exactly how much energy is left in the powerbank and an external USB port lets you charge, without even unzipping.

Bose QuietComfort 35 Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Screaming babies, blaring P.A. announcements and honking horns are just a few of the many annoying noises business travelers endure all the time.The wireless Bose QuietComfort 3 headset uses noise-cancelling technology to shield your ears from unwanted audio so you can concentrate on your music, movie or podcast. Soft pads keep your ears comfortable even on those long international flights, and you get a strong 20 hours of battery life.

Aerie Memory Foam Travel Neck Pillow

Compared to today's hard, cramped airplane seats, travelers would have an easier time dozing in an iron maiden. The Aeris Memory Foam Travel Neck Pillow makes it easier to sleep during the flight, even in coach. Better still, it comes with a sleep mask and earplugs to block out disturbing sights and sounds.

LOOP World Adapter Plug

If you've ever traveled abroad for business, you know how important it is to bring a universal power adapter with prongs that match the outlets in your destination countries. The LOOP World Adapter is a great worldwide adapter, because all the heads are actually built-in and all you need to do is move a switch up or down to toggle between U.S., U.K., European or Australian prong types. It comes in blue, red and black, and has two USB ports in addition to a plug for your laptop.

Lenovo ThinkPad X270

With its extended battery on board, Lenovo's 12.5-inch ThinkPad X270 lasts over 13 hours on a charge, making it ideal for working on an intercontinental flight. The X270 also boasts strong performance, a best-in-class keyboard and a sharp, 1080p screen. Unlike some other ultraportables, this laptop comes with a full array of ports, including 3 USB connections, HDMI-out and an SD card reader. Its relatively narrow, 12-inch wide body and 3.2-pound carrying weight make it ideal for airplane tray tables.

Western Digital Elements 2TB USB Hard Drive

Whether you're carrying around more data than your laptop can hold or you just need a physical backup, Western Digital's Elements is a fantastic choice. Starting at $59.99 for a 2TB model, this attractive USB 3.0 drive comes in a variety of capacities including 3TB and 4TB.

3M Privacy Filter

Your laptop is loaded up with the latest antivirus software. You've got a fingerprint reader and a strong password, but you can still spill company secrets when the person next to you looks over your shoulder. A 3M privacy filter limits your laptop's viewing angles so you can only read the text when looking at it head on.

ScotteVest OTG Jacket

If you want to leave your bag behind for a short trip, ScotteVest's OTG jacket can fit all your gear and then some. This medium-weight quilted jacket has two giant front pockets that are large enough to fit a tablet or even a very-thin laptop like a MacBook or Asus ZenBook 3. On the inside, it has pockets for your glasses, phone, camera and other gear. Best of all, you can run wires between the pockets so you can keep a power bank in one and have it charge your handset in the other.

The official Geeks Geek, as his weekly column is titled, Avram Piltch has guided the editorial and production of Laptopmag.com since 2007. With his technical knowledge and passion for testing, Avram programmed several of LAPTOP's real-world benchmarks, including the LAPTOP Battery Test. He holds a master’s degree in English from NYU.